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I'm sure it's at least some consolation for the NHL that, during this entire mess with the Phoenix Coyotes, there's been some incredible hockey played.

Capitals-Penguins, a series seemingly destined to go the distance, is now headed to Game 7. And a Canucks team that tried to bar the door for much of their series with the Blackhawks is finished for the year after Roberto Luongo let in seven goals (!) in Game 6 — two more than he allowed in the entire first round.

Luongo, in fact, didn't allow more than six goals in a game all season and came into this one with a sparkling 2.04 goals-against average. From a quick look through his numbers, he hadn't allowed seven since 2000 when he was with the Islanders.

Hard to believe.

"I let my teammates down tonight, and it's something that's going to take a while to get over," Luongo said afterwards, on the verge of tears. He allowed four goals on just nine third-period shots.

The drama unfolded at a packed United Center, continuing one of the great success stories of the 2008-09 season and carrying the 'Hawks into the Western Conference finals. They'll be a heavy underdog should they face the Red Wings in Round 3 but will continue to be a helluva story as they rise from the ashes of what they've been essentially since their last trip to the conference finals 14 years ago.

Chicago's young guns were impressive in this series, particularly Jonathan Toews, and Vancouver simply couldn't keep up. And, unfortunately for the second year in a row, Luongo was the goat.

The hero on this night? How about the Capitals' David Steckel, who has broken out in this series to have a major impact as Washington's defence-first centre.

He played 21:11 in Game 6, more than every other Caps forward save for Ovechkin and Backstrom, and potted the winner on a brilliant deflection 6:22 into overtime. He also faced the Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin line more than any other Caps forward despite the fact the Pens had last change.

It's a trend that's continued all series. In the first five games, Steckel also drew the matchup against Crosby, averaging 18:18 a night and scoring two goals. He was even.

He may not be a household name and in only his second full NHL season, but Steckel's already 27 years old, having played four years of college hockey at The Ohio State University. He's a huge guy at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, and a bit of a late bloomer despite the fact he was a first rounder (2001). He is also one of a growing number of Wisconsin natives now playing in the NHL.

Steckel's NCAA career came playing second fiddle to R.J. Umberger at OSU, and he says he always had his sights on being a third-line checker as a pro. Given the scoring aptitude he's started to show — and the fact he's one of the most dominant faceoff players in the league (fifth best in the NHL during the season, third best so far in the postseason) — I have a feeling he's going to be more than just a utility player in the near future.

Heck, he could be this team's captain down the line.

So, sure, Ovechkin v. Crosby has been a storyline, but Steckel v. Crosby is getting its due now, too. Who knew?

Now, we all await Wednesday night, when this series finally gets decided.